Source: Android Central
What you need to know
- Google may soon add a feature that lets you speak a name pronunciation to teach it.
- Currently you can spell a name phonetically to force a better pronunciation.
- The new feature appears in source code but has not yet made it to beta.
Intrepid sleuths at XDA-Developers have uncovered code in the latest Google App, buld 10.93, that may be part of a new feature to improve the apps pronunciation abilties when it comes to proper names. Right now if your name is hard for Google to pronounce (I often hear "bur-NAY" instead of "BURN"), your best option is to find the Nickname settings and enter a more transliteral spelling that forces Google to say it the way you prefer. Quite inelegent.
Source: XDA-Developers
The new feature gives you the option to "record your own" pronunciation. It is unclear what happens then, once Google has a recording. At best there will be some sort of AI methodology to analyze the way you pronounce the name, then transpose your pronunciation onto the Assistant's voice. At worst it may just play the recording of you reading your own name, but that seems unlikely.
A better question will be whether Google will use this newfound knowledge for all of the other mispronounced victims of the world. Will Google uncover regional preferences for names and adapt accordingly? Also, with this capability it still remains to be seen whether Google will allow you to train pronunciation for other names or just your own. The feature is currently only showing up in code, so it may appear in beta soon.
Have you listened to this week's Android Central Podcast?
Every week, the Android Central Podcast brings you the latest tech news, analysis and hot takes, with familiar co-hosts and special guests.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Here's every U.S. city with 5G coverage right now
5G deployment is moving fast and the list of cities with coverage is growing all the time. See if your U.S. city has coverage yet by Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
The Last of Us Part II has been delayed again, will launch at a later date
Today, Sony issued a statement confirming that The Last of Us Part II and Iron Man VR have been delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. There are no new release dates and the games will become available at a later time.
How to turn an old Android phone into a security camera
Have an old Android phone lying around that you don't know what to do with? Here's how you can repurpose it and turn it into a security camera!
Get the most out of these smart devices and services with Google Assistant
The Google Assistant is the most useful smart voice assistant for getting your questions answered and keeping track of your digital life, but it's also great at helping you control your smart home devices and services.
